"I am afraid it means--that Patricia has been
late to school again."
"But I thought," grandmother began, then stopped; as soon as she had
finished her breakfast she went up to Patricia's room.
Coming down a few moments after, she went straight to the office.
"Patrick," she said, "I have been finding out how Patricia came to be
late; and remember, please, that Patricia herself has given me only the
barest facts, with no thought of making out a case for herself, but
reading between the lines--" and then the doctor was given the
opportunity to also read between the lines.
He listened gravely. "I know," he said at last, "it was a very
Patricia-like action; still I am afraid I must stand by my word."
"Patrick, I think I shall claim my prerogative."
"Your what?"
"Prerogative--as a grandmother. From time immemorial it has been the
right of the grandmother to come to the rescue of the grandchildren."
"But Patricia knows--"
"It is my chance, you see,"--Mrs. Cory had been told why Patricia had
run away that first night,--"my chance to prove to Patricia that even
if I don't wear a cap and spectacles and all the paraphernalia of the
good old-fashioned grandmother, at heart I really am one--just as
soft-hearted and unreasonable as any one of them.
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